US repositioning aircraft over Syria as tensions rise

06/19/2017 12:08

WASHINGTON, June 19 (Reuters) - The U.S. military said on
Monday it was repositioning its aircraft over Syria to ensure
the safety of American air crews targeting Islamic State, as
tensions escalate following the U.S. downing of a Syrian
military jet on Sunday.

"As a result of recent encounters involving pro-Syrian
Regime and Russian forces, we have taken prudent measures to
re-position aircraft over Syria so as to continue targeting ISIS
forces while ensuring the safety of our aircrew given known
threats in the battlespace," said Lieutenant Colonel Damien
Pickart, a spokesman at U.S. Air Forces Central Command.
(Reporting by Phil Stewart)